Multi-State Flow Network Reliability Evaluation Using GCF Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for calculating the reliability of multi-state flow networks, such as the sum of disjoint products (SDP) method, are complex and time-consuming due to numerous summation and multiplication procedures, necessitating a more efficient approach to improve calculation performance.
Innovation Solution
A reliability evaluation system and method that utilize a GCF calculating means to simplify the calculation by defining system state vectors with grades and elements, comparing values to exclude greater values, and performing calculations using a Great Common Factor (GCF) method to reduce the complexity of summation and multiplication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sum of disjoint products (SDP) technique is used to calculate reliability, then the reliability calculation can be performed, but the calculation complexity and time consumption increase significantly due to numerous summation and multiplication procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reliability calculation process by introducing a flow decomposition matrix that breaks down the complex SDP calculation into smaller, more manageable components. The matrix structure allows systematic organization of path flow relationships, enabling the calculation to proceed through defined stages rather than requiring simultaneous complex operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing flow decomposition matrices before the actual reliability computation. These matrices contain pre-processed path flow information that can be directly utilized during reliability calculation, avoiding redundant computations and reducing the overall calculation burden.
2Reliability
If the sum of disjoint products (SDP) technique is used to calculate reliability, then the reliability calculation can be performed, but the calculation time increases due to numerous summation and multiplication procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reliability calculation process by introducing a flow decomposition matrix that breaks down the complex SDP calculation into smaller, more manageable components. The matrix structure allows systematic organization of path flow relationships, enabling the calculation to proceed through defined stages rather than requiring simultaneous complex operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing flow decomposition matrices before the actual reliability computation. These matrices contain pre-processed path flow information that can be directly utilized during reliability calculation, avoiding redundant computations and reducing the overall calculation burden.
3Ease of manufacture
If system state vectors with multiple grades and elements are defined, then the calculation structure becomes more organized, but the initial complexity of defining and managing these structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data structure framework where flow decomposition matrices and system state vectors can handle multiple grades and elements through a consistent indexing scheme. This multi-functional structure can accommodate different network configurations and reliability calculation requirements without requiring separate specialized structures for each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional dimensional organization to the data structures by incorporating grade and element indices into the flow decomposition matrix. This multi-dimensional structuring allows systematic access and manipulation of complex reliability data, transforming an otherwise unwieldy flat structure into an organized hierarchical framework.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a reliability evaluation system for multi-state flow network and a method thereof. The system includes an element-gaining module and a reliability calculation module. The method includes using a GCF calculating means to calculate an initial reliability according a first and second system-state vector, comparing values of all elements in a set being composed of elements of a second grade of a third system-state vector, excluding an element with a greater value and other related thereof in all grades in the third system-state vector when only one element in the set except the element with greater values so as to obtain remaining elements, using the GCF calculating means to perform the calculation of the remaining element to obtain a calculation results, and summing the initial reliability and the calculation results so as to obtain a reliability of the multi-state flow network.